Pruritus ani.

Management of pruritus ani rests on a few basic principles. The first and foremost is to listen to the patient and accept how uncomfortable and even disabling this common disorder can be. Such causes as parasites, diarrhea, trauma, hemorrhoids, and fistulas must be accurately diagnosed and treated. Contributing factors, such as poor hygiene or, paradoxically, too vigorous cleansing, must be corrected. Certain foods, such as spices and citrus fruits, need to be eliminated from the diet. Use of all over-the-counter preparations, cleaning pads, and solutions except water must be stopped. Finally, a mild steroid cream should be prescribed on a temporary basis, and the patient should be reexamined in two to three weeks. In the vast majority of cases, the physician will have a very happy and appreciative patient.